The catch cry from visitors to Dunedin some 150 years ago
was probably along the lines of: "There's gold in them thar
hills", a reference to Otago's gold rush.
Gold rush fever may have gone but the city still has many
hidden gems, and it wants you to discover them.
Celebrate Hidden Dunedin is a new organisation established to
bring together a total of 43 events for visitors to highlight
the city's culture and heritage, arts and fashion, music and
entertainment, food and wine, sports and community events.
"It is to celebrate the different aspects of Dunedin to show
people what are some of the hidden gems of the city,"
Celebrate Hidden Dunedin event director Chris Green says.
The festival kicks off with the re-enactment of New Zealand's
first athletic's world champion athlete, Joe Scott, who won
the world racewalking title in 1888.
A mock race in period costume begins at the Octagon from
noon.
"He was the Richie McCaw of the late 1800s when it came to
walking. He is one of our gems and about 95% of our
population probably haven't even heard of him," Mr Green
says.
Tomorrow, visitors will be welcomed with a long-standing Kiwi
tradition and culinary delight. The Great Kiwi BBQ will be
held at the Octagon from 4pm to 6pm.
The barbecue will be hosted by culinary students from the
Otago Polytechnic's Technique restaurant, with some backyard
rugby thrown in, for good measure.
Visitors also have two chances to see how beer and food mix
together at a new event called the Science of Beer on
Thursday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 21 (keep an
eye out on the Celebrate Hidden Dunedin events calendar
advertisement on this page for further details).
"We saw an opportunity to celebrate those different aspects
to Dunedin and the event matches local beers being produced
and local foods," says Mr Green.
Dunedin may be a small city but its burgeoning fashion
industry is known in national and international fashion
circles.
Another event will showcase the city's emerging talent
featuring third-year graduates from the Otago Polytechnic
Fashion School in Wall Street mall.
On the music front, Dunedin bands the Chills and the
Verlaines, a cult hit among university students in the 1980s,
are reforming to perform gigs.
"Celebrate Hidden Dunedin is a showcase of all that is
special and unique about our beautiful city," says Mr Green.
Visit the website www.celebratehiddendunedin.co.nz
for further information.
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